It seems that Al Pacino has long had a Napoleon complex. According to The Hollywood Reporter, he's cherished the idea of playing the famous French emperor for years, and is now getting his chance by signing on to play Bonaparte in "Betsy and the Emperor."
Directed by John Curran ("The Painted Veil") from a screenplay by Brian Edgar, the independent film will be based on the children's book by Staton Rabin. It's based on the true story of Lucia Elizabeth Balcombe, whose father was Napoleon's jailer during his exile on St. Helena. The two struck up a friendship and rumors flew that the exiled Emperor was romancing the teenager, though they have never been proven.
If the story sounds familiar, that's because there's another film about Napoleon and Betsy in the works. Last April, "Harry Potter" actress Emma Watson had reportedly signed to play the lead in "Napoleon and Betsy," a version of the story written and directed by Benjamin Ross. That film languishes in pre-production, and Watson has busied herself with college plans and more Harry Potter. Meanwhile, Pacino's version begins shooting this fall once the film secures financing, which should be easier with a big name like his on board. Meanwhile, we can spend our time wishing Watson could join Pacino's version -- wouldn't that be a great, post-Harry Potter role for her?
MTV readers, would you rather see Pacino or Watson's version of this Napoleon love story? Are you disappointed the Watson's seems to have fallen through?
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